Collecting requires a choice.
Collections mean Something
Art museums make me anxious. But not in a bad way. The traditional art exhibit involves slowly walking through connected rooms to visually check out all manner of stuff created by humans. Someone has decided that whatever is on display deserves a looksee. It’s great to live in a world where completely random stuff means something different to each of us. Please don’t tell anyone but art that is termed modern eludes me. If I can’t recognize what is in a picture, I feel like I don’t understand the viewpoint of the artist. Of course, this is ridiculous. The meaning of art varies for all of us. That is its real beauty. I once walked through an entire museum of gorgeous artwork and sculptures without realizing that the multi-sphered and multi-colored squares that were on display along with the discernable to me art was actually also artwork. In fact, it was the work of a very highly regarded artist. I was the one who was ignorant of its importance.
Shared Collections
A few years back, I made a decision about what I wanted the rooms in my home to look like. I chose fairly traditional furniture and honored it by choosing to display collections of objects that I loved. I am a serious bowl lover, but there are also little groups of ironwork toys and the walls have prints that I can look at and give my own meaning to. I get them. Think back to your high school age bedroom. Posters are usually normal, but anything can be hung to admire. Clothes, jewelry, hats, vision boards and photos all claimed wall space. Those first collections were first attempts at claiming self-taste. I slept below a poster of a swimming icon for most of my teen years. It was comforting to have his presence, but I had no idea what he was thinking. I collected him.
Collection Theory
Time to look inward. The stuff chosen to surround us bounces back inside of us. That fact alone should provide a new feeling about what is staring back at you in your home. The souls of all of those seemingly inanimate objects live with you. Time to walk around and make some decisions. The way your collections make you feel is an inside job. This allows you permission to finally get rid of that unloved present or hastily purchased artwork that someone else considered desirable. It is not spiritually healthy. It will also let you make room for what objects really reflect your shiny insides. This is the part where it will get complicated. Extrapolate this theory to your clothing choices, what you eat, drive, exercise and other outside forces over which you have control. Yes, it’s a lot. But it’s your life. As in life. The stuff that you are currently readjusting.
Manual Labor
The collection you may feel less control over is your work life. The topsy-turvy inter-pandemic world shook up many parts of our lives. Some for the good. It is easy to rationalize staying in a job that pays well or has good benefits. It is even easier not to want to make the great effort needed to put yourself back on display to new employers. This is not for the faint-hearted. It is usually undertaken when misery creeps in more often than joy. Even the idea of joy in the workplace is a little weird although there is no reason why it should be. It would be lovely to feel as good walking into work as walking out. If you can find that door, open it wide. Tell everyone you know that you have collected a great way to explore your purpose. Everyone should collect satisfaction that pays you as it benefits others.
Are you a part of your own collection? Is your collection friendly? Can a collection have pride?
